ABSTRACT
The main objective of the ongoing and future space exploration missions is the search for traces of extant or extinct life (biomarkers) on Mars. One of the main limiting factors on the survival of Earth-like life is the presence of harmful space radiation, that could damage or modify also biomolecules, therefore understanding the effects of radiation on terrestrial biomolecules stability and detectability is of utmost importance. Which terrestrial molecules could be preserved in a Martian radiation scenario? Here, we investigated the potential endurance of fungal biomolecules, by exposing de-hydrated colonies of the Antarctic cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus mixed with Antarctic sandstone and with two Martian regolith analogues to increasing doses (0, 250 and 1000 Gy) of accelerated ions, namely iron (Fe), argon (Ar) and helium (He) ions. We analyzed the feasibility to detect fungal compounds with Raman and Infrared spectroscopies after exposure to these space-relevant radiations.
Subject(s)
Heavy Ions , Mars , Space Flight , Extraterrestrial Environment , Spectrum Analysis , Antarctic Regions , ExobiologyABSTRACT
The extremophile lichen Circinaria gyrosa (C. gyrosa) is one of the selected species within the BIOMEX (Biology and Mars Experiment) experiment. Here we present the Raman study of a biohint found in this lichen, called whewellite (calcium oxalate monohydrate), and other organic compounds and mineral products of the biological activity of the astrobiologically relevant model system C. gyrosa. Samples were exposed to space- and simulated Mars-like conditions during the EXPOSE-R2 mission parallel ground reference experiment MGR performed at the space- and planetary chambers of DLR-Cologne to study Mars' habitability and resistance to real space conditions. In this work, we complete the information of natural C. gyrosa about the process of diagenesis by the identification of carbonate crystals in the inner medulla together with the biomineral whewellite. The analysis by Raman spectroscopy of simulated Space and Mars exposed samples confirm alterations and damages of the photobiont part of the lichen and changes related to the molecular structure of whewellite. The conclusions of this work will be important to understand what are the effects to consider when biological systems are exposed to space or Mars-like conditions and to expand our knowledge of how life survives in most extreme conditions that is a prerequisite in future planetary exploration projects.
Subject(s)
Lichens , Space Flight , Ascomycota , Exobiology , Extraterrestrial Environment , Spectrum Analysis, RamanABSTRACT
The realization of logic operations within passive crossbar memory arrays is a promising approach to expand the fields of application of such architectures. Material implication was recently suggested as the basic function of memristive crossbar junctions, and single bipolar resistive switches (BRS) as well as complementary resistive switches (CRS) were shown to be capable of realizing this logical functionality. Based on a systematic analysis of the Boolean functions, we demonstrate here that 14 of 16 Boolean functions can be realized with a single BRS or CRS cell in at most three sequential cycles. Since the read-out step is independent of the logic operation steps, the result of the logic operation is directly stored to memory, making logic-in-memory applications feasible.
ABSTRACT
Complementary resistive switches (CRS) were recently suggested to solve the sneak path problem of larger passive memory arrays. CRS cells consist of an antiserial setup of two bipolar resistive switching cells. The conventional destructive readout for CRS cells is based on a current measurement which makes a considerable call on the switching endurance. Here, we report a new approach for a nondestructive readout (NDRO) based on a capacity measurement. We suggest a concept of an alternative setup of a CRS cell in which both resistive switching cells have similar switching properties but are distinguishable by different capacities. The new approach has the potential of an energy saving and fast readout procedure without decreasing cycling performance and is not limited by the switching kinetics for integrated passive memory arrays.
ABSTRACT
The autopsy reports of the Pathological Institute Erfurt of the period from 1.1.1951 until 31.12.1969 were scored for cases of myocardial infarction and coronary thrombosis. Among 2,393 morphologically analysed myocardial infarctions 454 coronary thromboses (18.97 per cent) were found. Males were significantly more affected than females. Fresh infarcts showed significantly more thromboses than callous infarcts. We found fresh and occluding vessel thromboses more frequently in fresh infarctions. The analysis of age distribution yielded an increase of the rate of thrombosis in cases with myocardial infarction. On the other hand, the frequency of infarctions in cases with a coronary thrombosis was decreasing. It is suggested that the risk for infarctions is larger in younger people with coronary thrombosis than in older ones. No infarctions were detected in 165 cases of thrombosis. Preferably this group includes those cases in which the patients deceased within 6 to 8 hours and, therefore, the infarction was not morphologically detectable.
Subject(s)
Coronary Disease/epidemiology , Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Autopsy , Cicatrix , Female , Germany, East , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
28978 cases of young (after the 14th year of age) and adult patients autopsied during the period from 1.1 1951 until 31. 12. 1969 in our Institute were scored for coronary thrombosis and analysed concerning frequency and distribution of age and sex, resp. In this material the evidence of morphological changes was proved by longitudinal dissection of the coronary vessels. We analysed the age of thrombi, the localization and the grading of coronary vessels occlusions. Coronary thrombi were found in 2,31 per cent of all autopsies (2,81 per cent in males,1,31 per cent in females). Coronary thromboses showed an increase during the observation period. These thrombi were found more frequently in younger patients. Most of the thrombi (62,20 per cent) were localized in the Arteria coronaria sinistra, 37,80 per cent we found in the Arteria coronaria dextra. Fresh thrombi (57,51 per cent) and those being in organization (42,49 per cent) were not significantly different. Obturating thromboses showed an increase. The numbers of non-obturating thromboses decreased during the observation period. Our findings correspond to similar results published in literature.
Subject(s)
Coronary Disease/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Autopsy , Coronary Disease/pathology , Female , Germany, East , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Thrombosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The autopsy reports of the Pathological Institute Erfurt of the period from 1.1. 1951 untile 31.12. 1969 were scored for cases of coronary sclerosis and coronary thrombosis and analysed concerning frequency and distribution of age and sex, resp. In 3.97 per cent of all autopsies (4.93 per cent of men, 2.62 per cent of women) a coronary sclerosis was present in combination with a coronary thrombosis. Coronary thrombi appeared more frequent in severe coronary sclerosis (8.96%) than in weak or moderately severe coronary sclerosis (1.39%). Males suffered significantly more frequent from these forms of icaemic heart disease. Coronary thrombi were found more frequently in the left coronary artery (2.46%) than in the right coronary (1.51%). This difference was significant. Non obturating thromboses were more frequent than obturating ones and those being in organization were rarer than fresh thromboses. In all cases a decrease of the relative frequency of the coronary thrombosis with increasing age in men and women is detected.
Subject(s)
Coronary Disease/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Arteriosclerosis/complications , Arteriosclerosis/epidemiology , Autopsy , Coronary Disease/pathology , Coronary Vessels , Female , Germany, East , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Thrombosis/complications , Thrombosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
28978 autopsy reports of young (after the 14th year of age) and adult patients autopsied during the period from 1.1 1951 until 31. 12 1969 were scored for atherosclerotic changes of the aorta and the large arteries. The informations were transferred to punched cards and processed with electronic data equipment. The methods of the statistical evaluation are described. 52.96 per cent of the cases revealed an aortic atherosclerosis. 17.96 per cent showed an atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries, 31.16 per cent of the cases had atherosclerotic changes of the kidneys. All groups of diseases showed an increase during the observation period. No sex differences were detected.
